University Of Florida Names Its First Female `Eminent Scholar'

Date: November 23, 1992

"It just happens that I'm female," says Marjorie A. Hoy, an entomology professor at the University of Florida, adding that any professional interest in her should be focused on her research rather than her gender.

In September, the university bestowed upon Hoy the title of eminent scholar at the Gainesville campus' Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences; she is the first woman to receive the honor from the school. "Hopefully, my research and academic qualifications have nothing to do with gender," she says.

Hoy worked on creating genetically engineered parasites and predators for agricultural pest control at the University of California, Berkeley, for 16 years before arriving in Florida. She says her historic appointment at Florida will give her the opportunity to continue in the laboratory.

"Our goal is to reduce the use of pesticides in agriculture," she says. "Biological control with parasites, predators, and pathogens...